Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nutrition and behavior changes in senior dogs with cognitive decline
By Manteca, Xavier·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2011·School of Veterinary Science, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Nutrition and behavior in senior dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A senior dog may show signs of confusion, such as disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, or even house-soiling, which could indicate a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). To help manage this condition, veterinarians often recommend dietary changes, including supplements with antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides, which have been shown to improve brain function in older dogs. It's important for pet owners to consult with their vet to rule out other medical issues that could cause similar symptoms. With the right treatment, many dogs can experience improvements in their behavior and overall quality of life.
People also search for: senior dog confusion · canine cognitive dysfunction treatment · dog dietary supplements for brain health
Abstract
With increasing age, some dogs develop a neurogenerative disease that is commonly referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Diagnosis of CDS can be clinical or based on laboratory tests. The main behavioral changes associated with CDS are disorientation, altered interactions with people or other animals, sleep-wake cycle alterations, house-soiling, and changes in activity level. Ruling out medical conditions that can cause similar changes in behavior is important when performing a clinical diagnosis. Management of CDS includes dietary and pharmacological intervention. Dietary treatment of CDS has been based on the use of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors, and recent work has shown that long-term supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides can improve cognitive function in aged dogs. CDS must be considered an animal welfare issue and the implications of this are discussed in this article.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21435624/